Amazing women are hard at work in the Capital Region, striving every day to make both their community and their business or workplace better.

This fall, Black Press will honour them at the fifth annual Women in Business Awards, recognizing local women making a difference through their careers and community contributions.

From the Woman Business Owner of the Year to a true Rising Star, the award evaluations consider both specific criteria in their respective categories, plus involvement in business or volunteer organizations, mentoring, awards and expertise in their fields.

While each woman is unique in the path she chooses for her career, previous winners have shared a true passion for their chosen fields, for the clients and individuals they serve, their colleagues and their greater community. The 2012 Women in Business Awards will select award winners in the following four categories: Women Business Owner of the Year; Eco-Entrepreneur; Rising Star; and Above & Beyond.

Find nomination forms in your Black Press community newspapers, or call 250-381-3484 for more information. The  deadline is noon, July 25.

Happy Anniversary!

In honour of its 100th anniversary July 4, Island Blue has commissioned local artist Steve Milroy to create and paint a mural on the Quadra Street side of its art store. The mural is a wonderful homage to painter Emily Carr and her adorable sidekick, Woo.  Join Island Blue for a special celebration July 4 featuring displays of old maps and archival pictures, one-day anniversary specials, door prizes and anniversary cake.

New & Notable

The Gatsby Mansion restaurant has reopened under executive chef DB次元官网网址橝rcy Ladret. Since graduating from the Camosun College Professional Cook Training Program in 1997, Ladret has worked at some of the most well-known kitchens around Vancouver Island, including Sooke Harbour House, Sidney Pier Resort & Spa, and most recently as executive chef at Royal Roads University.

B次元官网网址淚 am thrilled to present a menu for the Gatsby Mansion Restaurant that celebrates the harvest from Vancouver IslandB次元官网网址檚 shores, farms and forests B次元官网网址� ingredients that have been a part of my life growing up on the coast and will  now become the hallmark of my kitchen teamB次元官网网址檚 culinary style,B次元官网网址� Ladret says. B次元官网网址淲e are presenting the best of our region throughout the seasons and are delighted to be featuring many local producers on our menus.B次元官网网址�

Rockbebe, featuring fashions for babies through youths, opened a permanent store at Uptown on Sunday. In addition to lines such as DC Shoes & Apparel, Bench, Hunter Boots and Steve Madden, shoppers will find fashions from five local mom-preneurs whose designs include tutus, headbands, beanies and accessories.

Country Grocer is working with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to make it easier for shoppers to identify and buy top-quality Canadian food products. Beginning June 17, Country Grocer will use signs, shelf displays, stickers, brochures and other printed material to help customers at their stores learn more about Canadian food products and help them find these products on the store shelves.

The promotional event will also be featured in store flyers and online. The initiative has been expanded after a successful 2011 pilot project showed shoppers were significantly more likely to buy Canadian products if they can easily identify them. Learn more at www.eatcanadian.ca

Kilshaws Auctions owner Alison Ross is joining the TV show Pawnathon Canada, in which Canadians showcase their prized heirlooms, antiques and memorabilia for a chance to cut a cash deal with the best dealers on TV B次元官网网址� the Pawn Masters. Each episode features Canadians looking to share the history of their personal treasures B次元官网网址� from historical Canadian art pieces to celebrity memorabilia B次元官网网址� and potentially sell them for cash.

In the Community

Heirloom Linens hosts its annual garage sale this Saturday, June 16 at the Broadmead Village Shopping Centre, in support of Victoria Hospice, providing end-of-life palliative care since 1980. Find great deals on goods that are damaged, flawed or otherwise not saleable in the store, plus donations from suppliers, a raffle, a hot dog stand and on-site entertainment from 98.5 the Ocean and Jack FM.